KIDS & EDUCATION
Top free coding classes available online for kids
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2021 21
BY ANALIESE DODD
These free coding classes
for children are available
now to help your kids learn
skills that are becoming
more and more essential in
our current times. Knowing
even just basic computer
programming is more
important than ever with
lots of businesses moving
to online platforms. Your
kids can start from a young
age to develop these skills,
and these options will allow
them to do it in a fun and interesting
way.
Blocky Games
Blocky Games has several
inviting activities that kids
can use to learn about basic
coding functions. Each game
focuses on one element of coding,
and shows kids exactly
how changes to the basic code
can make a huge difference in
the results. It shows kids the
basics of coding, and gives
them introductions to important
concepts they can use
later in more advanced coding
programs.
Code.org
Code.org provides an assortment
of enrichment activities
your kids can enjoy while
also developing their coding
skills. Their “hour of code”
programs allow kids to spend
time focusing on projects that
relate directly to their interests.
Whether they want to explore
the world of “Star Wars,”
Disney, or Minecraft, they’ll
find an exercise that relates to
it here.
Code Combat
Code Combat is an interactive
experience in which
kids can venture through a
magical world with coding as
their weapon of choice. This
adventure game combines
coding with magic warriors
to keep kids invested from
the first level. As they journey
on, the coding gets more
and more complex increasing
their personal skill level
as well as their character’s.
If your kids already love
video games, this one will
allow them to have all the
excitement of playing while
also teaching them along the
way.
Codemoji
Codemoji has created a
unique coding experience with
their playground in which
basic coding commands are
shown as fun emojis. Instead
of remembering headings as
<h1>, kids can remember that
the ice cream cone creates
their headings. Codemoji also
offers more traditional coding
options you can introduce after
the emojis have lost their
intrigue. The entire website
will keep kids entertained no
matter their coding level.
Code Monkey
Code Monkey is a fun animated
website where kids can
learn basic coding skills and
techniques. It provides coding
games for every age range
and skill level to keep kids
busy throughout their childhood.
The animation and fun
levels will keep kids glued
to the screen, and learning
code without ever realizing
it. There are free versions of
each game, but also paid longer
versions if your kids get
invested.
Crunchzilla Code
Monster
The Code Monster provides
an excellent source for those
just starting out in coding.
Crunchzilla provides two boxes:
on the left they can see the
code, and on the right they’ll
see what their code is actually
doing to the image. The
fun monster takes kids step
by step through basic codes to
see how it all works. This website
is a great way for kids to
see exactly how their actions
change their programs and
will give them basic knowledge
they can use in more advanced
coding later.
freeCodeCamp
This website provides
over 6,000 tutorials for kids
to use to develop essential
coding skills. These courses
cover a variety of topics with
great videos and instructions.
Whatever your kid’s goal is
related to computer programming,
they’ll be able to find
workshops here to develop the
skills necessary to achieve
those end goals.
Glitch
Glitch is perfect for any kid
who is looking for traditional
coding practice. It walks kids
through how to build websites
and apps from start to finish.
Glitch provides basic instructions,
but leaves everything
else up to your kids. Once kids
have even a small grasp of coding,
this is the perfect place to
uses those skills in a creative
and unique way.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is known
for its great math courses, but
now they’ve entered into the
world of computer programming,
too. They offer a variety
of different classes within the
realm of coding, so kids can
learn a myriad of skills. Khan
Academy is similar to a traditional
classroom with videos
followed by fun assignments.
If your child learns best in
this setting, these classes are
perfect for them.
LightBot
LightBot is an entertaining
game in which your child
must light up certain tiles to
advance. The entire adventure
requires kids to think through
programming logic in order to
solve each problem. It teaches
kids the basics of sequencing
and procedures through
a game they can get invested
in. They can investigate the
puzzles level by level, developing
more advanced skills each
time they level up.
mBlock
mBlock provides access to
coding editors for python and
block-based coding. Kids can
also get involved with other
coding projects working on
things like facial recognition
and a music lighting show. If
your kids want to experience
all different types of programming,
they’ll be able to find
lots of different options for
some more advanced coding
practice.
Scratch
Students at MIT created
Scratch to encourage the next
generation of kids to get involved
in coding for free. The
website allows kids to create
their own programs that can
do anything they set their
minds to. Their tutorials will
take kids through every step
in creating their own interactive
programs. With hundreds
of possibilities, your kids will
be able to share their creativity
through coding in a way
they never have before. They
also have Scratch Jr. aimed at
an even younger group of future
coders.
Stencyl
Stencyl provides kids with
an opportunity to create their
own game using some basic
coding skills. The app doesn’t
go into full detail about all the
coding that goes into creating
the games, but it gives kids an
introduction into the larger
world of game design. If your
kids are obsessed with video
games and apps, this will allow
them to develop their own
adventure while learning
along the way.
Swift Playgrounds
Swift Playgrounds is a fun
and interactive app where
kids can create their own
world through coding. Similar
to a puzzle, kids will solve
problems through coding, developing
their skills in a quick
and fun way. It requires no
prior coding knowledge and
is an entertaining gateway to
more advanced coding later.
Do keep in mind that it does
require either a Mac computer
or iPad in order to run.
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